Arrival at Zavrtnots International airport. Meet and greet transfer to the hotel. Rest. In the morning after breakfast start city tour around Yerevan visiting Memorial Park and Tsitsernakaberd Memorial. Proceed to Echmiadzin which is mere 20 km from Yerevan. Etchmiadzin Cathedral is known as the center of the Armenian Church and appears to be one of the world's first Christian State churches. Legend has it that it was here that Jesus Christ descended from heaven to show where he wanted a church built. So Echmiadzin means "The only-begotten descended". The Church was built between the years 301 - 303 AD under the Armenian king Tiridates III and the first Armenian Catholicos, St. Gregory the Illuminator. **Opportunity to have lunch in a local community tasting homemade dishes. Return to Yerevan with stop at the ruins of Zvartnots temple - the pearl of the 7th c. architecture which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/--/--)

Day 2: Yerevan / Khor Virap / Areni / Noravank

Sightseeing tour to Vayots Dzor region which has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. This fact was also proved by archeological excavations of the region in the result of which "The oldest leather shoe" in the world was discovered. This shoe, which is older than either Stonehenge or the Egyptian pyramids, is in fact the oldest shoee sample ever found in the world. The 5,500 year-old shoe is now on display at the History Museum of Armenia. On the way to Vayots Dzor you will visit Khor-Virap monastery 4- 17th as it's an important Christian site and the closest point to biblical Mt. Ararat. If you are lucky you and the weather is fine you will have a similar photo now on your right. Drive to Taperakan village to visit one of the local wineries famous for high quality wine and limited production. Latest excavations was important also in terms of wine production as an entire wine production unit was found in one of the caves and its being proved that it's the oldest wine producing system. So in this winery you will get some important piece of info about Armenian wine and ancient technologies of wine making. Continue tour to Noravank monastery - a great religious and cultural centre of 12th c. Noravank ("New Monasterey") is 122 km away from Yerevan and is located in an inaccessible location throughout the stunning nature. **Opportunity to have lunch in a local cave cafe tasting chicken barbeque made in a special underground heater. Drive back to the capital city. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/--/--)

Day 3: Yerevan / Garni / Gegahrd / Matenadaran

After breakfast visit the depositary of ancient manuscripts the Matenadaran which contains historical documents from all over Europe and Asia throughout many centuries. There is also the first copy of the Bible in Armenian and the Gospels that fascinate with their beautiful miniatures. Departure to Garni Temple. The citadel and pagan temple of Garni is a picturesque monument of the Hellenistic period and an impressive piece of ancient Armenian architecture. It was built in the first century A.D. by the Armenian King Tiridates and it is dedicated to a heathen god, probably to Mithra, the god of the sun whose figure stood in the depth of the sanctuary. After proclaiming Christianity as a state religion in Armenia in 301, the temple was probably used as a summer residence of the kings. **Opportunity to have lunch at a local house in Garni where you will have opportunity to watch Armenian national bread "lavash" baking and barbeque making process in the underground stove called "tonir". Drive to a magnificent monument of medieval Armenian architecture - Geghard monastery inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list. Geghard is another incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. The meaning "the Monastery of the Spear", originates from the spear which had wounded Jesus during his crucifixion, allegedly brought to Armenia by Apostle Thaddeus, and stored amongst many other relics. Now the historical spear is displayed in the Etchmiadzin treasury. Though the monastery of Gueghard was around before the 4th century, the main cathedral was built in 1215. The entrance of the compound is surrounded by high walls on three sides and mountain on the other. Outside the monastery complex there are some caves which have a bunch of little cave rooms and are quite interesting. Drive to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan. (B/--/--)

Day 4: Departure

Transfer to the airport. Departure home!

Pax N

Rates in Euro per person in DBL/TWN occupancy

3* hotel

4* hotel

5* hotel

2

500

535

660

4

395

430

560

6

365

390

520

8

330

365

490

10

320

350

475

SGL Supplm

60

65

140

Rates include:" Accommodation" 3 nights stay at the hotel in Yerevan " Transfers and transportation as mentioned in the program" English speaking professional tour guide throughout the program" Catering BB: (breakfast at the hotel)" Entrance fees according to the program" 1 bottle of mineral water per day per person